Tomato lug filler



Aug. 1, 1939. A. H. HINMAN TOMATO LUG FILLER 2 Sheets-sheet 1 Filed oct. 12, 195s I I" I I I I I I I Inventor f mizaz f/ anni Q By W Attorneys ugl 1939 HJHINMAN 2,168,100

TOMATO LUG FILLER Filed Ooi. l2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 j Inventor jlazmaizf/ y A orneys CII Patented Aug. 1, 1939 UNITED STATES legion PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to the crating or packing of tomatoes and more particularly to an improved ller for the tomato crate, or as the same is commonly known in the art, lug.

As is well-known the present method of packing tomatoes is a slow process of wrapping each tomato separately and then placing the same in the tomato lug. This wrapping is very tiresome and because of the twist of the wrist which is necessary, often becomes a very painful occupation.

Among the objects of the present invention is to eliminate this individual wrapping of the tomatoes and at the same time provide for a superior pack, the invention having in mind the packing of tomatoes more uniformly sized than would be the case where the eye alone serves as a guide in selecting the tomato for its proper place in the pack.

Further in accordance with the present invention not only are the tomatoes packed more uniformly but the tomatoes are protected in a manner to eliminate bruises and damage by the rubbing against reach other.

Also in accordance with the present invention the packing of the tomatoes is such that the entire top layer of the packed tomatoes may be readily displayed to the purchaser.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a packed tomato lug illustrating the application of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a top ller element.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 of one of the ller elements.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of one of the llers.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan View of a ller, and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail sectional view through the filler.

Referring more in detail to the drawings it will be seen that 5 indicates generally a conventional tomato lug or crate having at the ends thereof cross cleats 6 to which is nailed the lid 1.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided for each layer of tomatoes 8 a filler 9.

The ller 9 is formed from a single blank of strong, exible paper suitably shaped and formed to provide a plurality of integral, substantially frusto-conical cells I 0 in which the tomatoes 8 are placed.

In packing the tomatoes rst one filler 9 is placed in the lug or crate 5 and the tomatoes placed'individually within the cells i9. After this layer of tomatoes has been positioned within the crate a second filler 9 is placed in the crate 5 with the minor ends of the cells lll extending downwardly into the major ends of the cells l0 of the lowermost crate and resting on the tomatoes 8 in the lowermost i'lller. The tomatoes 8 forming the second layer are then placed within l0 the cells ID of the second ller.

After the desired number of layers of tomatoes have been packed there is placed a top iiller member Il.

The top layer Il is also formed from a single l5 blank of strong, flexible paper suitably formed to provide a plurality of integral frustoconicall cells l2 that are of materially less depth than the cells I0.

The filler I IV is placed in the lug 5 with the cells 20 I2 being accommodated within the cells l0 of the uppermost filler 9 and resting on the tomatoes 8 in the cells I0 of said uppermost ller 9.

After the cover ller Il is placed in position .the packed lug or crate 5 is preferably placed 25 30 It will thus be seen that I have provided for the packing of tomatoes in a manner as will reduce to a minimum the time and effort required; will provide for more uniform sizing of the tomatoes; and the protecting of the tomatoes 35 against bruises and damage as. results from the rubbing of the tomatoes one against the other.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In a packing and shipping crate for sub- 40 stantially round perishable fruit, an open-top receptacle, and a plurality of superposed llers each comprising transversely and longitudinally extending rows of vertically disposed pockets for the fruit of inverted frusto-conical form and 45 greater depth than the diameter of the fruit for sustaining the latter in suspended position therein substantially midway of the pockets, the pockets of the superposed iillers extending at the lower ends thereof into the upper ends of the pockets 5o of the subjacent fillers to rest on the fruit in the latter and thereby hold the same against Vibration.

2. In a packing and shipping crate for substantially round perishable fruit, an open-top re- 10 pockets of the subjacent llers to rest on the fruit in the latter and thereby hold the same against vibration, a cover for the receptacle, and a top filler of dummy pockets similar in form and arrangement to those of the first-mentioned llers fitting between said cover and into the pockets of the subjacent fillers to rest against the fruit in the last-mentioned pockets and function as a spacer between the same and said cover.

ALBERT H. HINMAN. 

